William Grant and Sons Flashcards
When was the company founded?
1887
William Grant’s dates.
1839-1923
First distillery, second distillery.
Glenfiddich, 1887; Balvenie, 1892.
William Grant’s son-in-law.
Charles Gordon
When did Grants start blending?
1903
When was the triangular bottle introduced? Who designed it?
- Hans Schleger (1898-1978), German-born emigré, Bahuas-influenced poster designer.
For Grant Standfast and Glenfiddich.
Girvan distillery, Ayrshire established when?
- For grain distillilng. Coffey stills.
Glenfiddich started being marketed as single malt when?
1964.
What is the world’s best selling single malt?
Glenfiddich.
Who owns Grants?
Privately owned by descendants of William Grant.
What did Grants do in 1999?
Acquired, with Edrington Group, Highland Distillers. Grants have 30%.
What two additional distilleries have been built?
Kininvie, 1990; next door to Balvenie.
Ailsa Bay, 2007; next to Girvan. To make more malt.
Talk about Hendrick’s.
Developed 1999. Aimed first at American market. Made at Girvan in Carterhead still (1948) and Bennett pot still (1860) bought at auction by Charles Grant Gordon (1927-2013) in the 1966. Blended from the product of each. Essence of cucumber and musk rose added afterwards. Cubeb berries, elderflower, chamomile, yarrow. Brown apothecaries bottle; faux Victorian labelling; surrealist inspired advertising. Quinenum quinine cordial.
Name of Grants brands.
Reyka vodka; Milagro tequila; Sailor Jerry rum; Monkey Shoulder whisky; The Balvenie; Tullamore Dew Irish whiskey; Drambuie (bought 2014); Tuthilltown Spirits (NY State craft distillery producing ‘Hudson’ range of whiskies).
Which Irish whiskey does Grants produce?
Tullamore Dew. Brand bought 2010. New distillery built for it in County Offaly. 2nd only to Jameson’s in overseas markets. So far new distillery only produces malt and the grain for the blend comes from Midletons in Cork.
